Catalan Gerard Pique jeered by fans at Spain training session

A file photo. Spain supporters at the Las Rozas training facility in Madrid jeered, whistled and chanted at Gerard Pique to leave the team, who are preparing for two World Cup qualifiers, brandishing banners carrying insults aimed at him. Photo: AP

Madrid: Barcelona’s Catalan defender Gerard Pique was targeted by angry Spain fans on Monday as he took part in an open training session with the national team the day after the Catalonia independence referendum that was declared illegal by the government.

Centre-back Pique, who voted in the referendum and has criticised police violence against voters which resulted in hundreds of injuries, has long been targeted by Spain fans but Monday’s barrage of insults was particularly severe.

Spain supporters at the Las Rozas training facility in Madrid jeered, whistled and chanted at Pique to leave the team, who are preparing for two World Cup qualifiers, brandishing banners carrying insults aimed at him.